Baby Can I Upgrade You?

15. Boardroom Surprise

Imani

"Hi J-Jaden it's me again. I-I know you don't want to t-talk to me but there's a uh n-new development we seriously need to talk about. P-please call me as soon as you get this." I drop the phone with a shaky hand. It took all the courage I had left to call him. When he didn't pick up I was both relieved and disappointed. I didn't tell him I am pregnant on the voicemail because I don't want him to think it's some desperate ploy to get him back. This is the sort of news that needs to be broken face-to-face.

My hand unconsciously rubs over my belly as I think of the predicament I'm in. Luckily being big, I'm not showing at all. I went to get a blood test at my GP's office since store bought tests can be wrong and she confirmed that I'm definitely pregnant and around 3 months along. Around now is the best time to terminate if I want to so I need to make up my mind soon. What am I going to do?

I walk into the boardroom like a zombie for our weekly planning meetings, not bothering to return anyone's greetings. I take my seat and zone out while Marcel goes on about our upcoming events and client briefs. Halfway through the meeting Felicia comes in and distributes some folders to us all. When she comes over to hand me mine her cheap, overwhelmingly sweet perfume hits me like a ton of bricks and I have to dash out of the room to the nearest bathroom.. My sudden exit has people calling after me but I ignore their concerned voices and lock myself in the ladies room, throwing up this morning's berry smoothie. It looked way better going in than it does now, gross! I close the toilet seat, flushing away the pink mess and head over to the skink to clean myself up.

"Imani? Imani are you okay? Please open the door." Marcel talks to me through the door as he tries the door handle and finds it locked.

I walk over and unlock the door once I've composed myself. "I'm fine Marcel. Just got a little stomach bug." I try to quell his worry as we walk back to my office. "You can go back to your meeting, I'll catch up with the minutes." I dismiss him with a wave of my hand.

"No way I'm leaving you alone. Something is up with you. You've been really moody and distracted lately. I'm not leaving until you tell me what's eating you and anyway Janet is wrapping up for me." He silences my protest as he locks my office door behind him and he guides me to the couch.

I take a seat and listen to Marcel fuss about in the kitchen and watch hin emerge with a cup of milky rooibos tea for myself and a black coffee for himself. I thank him for the hot beverage and take a tentative sip. The herbal aroma settles my stomach and it's warmth instany makes me feel better. Morning sickness is a bitch!

"So you gonna start talking or nah? You know I got all day. I'll wait you out." Marcel breaks the silence and I sigh at his probing.

"I'm pregnant." I mumble and slouch in my seat at the weight of the revelation. Every time I think about it I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders.

"I'm sorry I think I misheard you. Did you just say you're pregnant?!" Marcel asks in disbelief and I simply nod. "Oh my God that explains a lot! But wait, why aren't you happy? You've always wanted to be a mom and you got a fine ass baby daddy!" He speaks animatedly giving me a questioning look.

"Yea I've always wanted to be a mom." I answer with a small smile. "But my baby daddy is MIA. He ditched me 3 weeks ago when I told him I love him." I whisper out sadly.

"Whaaat!" Marcel bellows out standing in a huff of anger.

"Shhh Marcel, sit down! I don't need the whole office knowing my business!" I scold him with a deadly glare.

Marcel plants his skinny bottom back on the couch and he looks at me with concern. "You poor thing! What are you gonna do now girl? Does he know about the baby? Is he taking responsibility?" He fires out question after question rapidly.

"No he doesn't. I just found out a couple of days ago and I can't get a hold of him."

"That punk ass little boy! If I get my hands on him. Ooo!" He bounces in his seat with balled fists getting angry all over again.

"It's fine Marcel. I'm a gown woman and I decided to fuck with a play boy who wasn't anywhere near ready to settle down. I can handle the repercussions of my actions." I reassure him with a small smile and a pat on his bouncing knee.

"Since he don't wanna to be here,  I'll be your baby daddy if you decide to keep it. We'll go shopping together, get manis and pedis, get the nursery together. It will be great!" Marcel speaks excitedly and I almost get whiplash at how fast his mood changes. I giggle at his response and I feel the best I have in weeks. "Girl we gotta call Candi! She is gonna be so mad but it's her fault anyway." He rolls his eyes at the end and goes over to dial her into the drama.

Candice loses her shit too as expected but vows to be the best pregnancy partner and aunty there is if I choose to proceed. They both promise to support my decision either way and to help me hide the body if I kill Jaden whenever I see him! Hahaha! My friends support overwhelms me and I can't help but shed a few happy tears. It's a welcome change of pace!

Coming in this morning I wasn't sure what to do and how I'd move forward. If I'm completely honest I was leaning towards termination but seeing my friends reaction has me seeing the situation in a different light. A child is a blessing and as my gran would say, "Umtwana akanacala (A child has no sin)." So I won't deny my child the opportunity to live and myself the chance to get to know them.

It's just me and you nana, I talk to my little one as I rub my belly, standing in front of my giant office windows and watch the sunset on my old life.